Method of and apparatus for packaging



Oct. 11, 1932. E. MALLINCKRODT, JR

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING Original Filed June 25, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet l OC- 11, 1932. E. MALLINCKRODT, JR 1,881,782

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING Original Filed June 25, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 figa.

Oct. 11, 1932. E. MALLINCKRODT, JR 1,881,782

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING Original Filed June 25, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 m. ,m /07 o O /0/ lummm /08 Oct. 11, 1932. E. MALLINCKRODT, JR 1,881,782

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING Original Filed June 25., 1926 7 SheeCS-SheerI `4 Oct. 11, 1932. E. MALLlNcKRoDT, JR 1,881,782

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING Original Filed June 25, 1926 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 edf 245 original Filed June 25, 1926. 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 v Tiff-ga OO G O 48 /fo 45 fo* 59 552.9." g?! 262 Octl1, 1932. E. MALLINCKRODT, JR 1,881,782

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APACKAGING Original Filed June 25, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 -.AP-atentecl Oct. 11, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENTfoFFlcE- EDWARD MALLINCKRODT, VTR.,

OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR T MLLLINCKRODT CHEMICAL WORKS, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURIQA CORPORATION 0F MISSOURI IMI'E'JIHOID4 OF AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING of, and apparatus for packaging materials; and with regard to certain more specific features, to al method of, and apparatus for packaging ether or a like perishable material.

purposes, where all possible deterioration during periods of storage should be prevented; the provision of improved -automatic means for packaging ether or the like out of f the presence of air or a similar 'fluid deleterious to the ether or the like, and packaging it in the presence of an inert'ambient iuid such Aas gaseous nitrogen or a like non-dele'- terious fluid; the provision of improved automatic means for replacing the air found in the packages to be used, by the said inert gas, prior to the packaging process per se; the provision of a means of the class described which'requires for its separate elements of construction only inherently rugged members, which can be depended upon to provide continuous and satisfactory service; and the provision of apparatus for carrying out the process described which shall .be low in cost and upkeep, and which is simple in operation and in manipulation. Other objects will be in part obvious and in-partfpointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combination of elements, fea- 5 tures of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structure hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated one of various possible embodiments of the invention, l

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the apparatus' showing the top removed and certain parts broken away and shown dotted;

This invention relates broadly to a method 'i .Application levd Jnne 25, 1926, Serial No. 118,440. Renewed .Tune 3, 1932. -r

Fig. 2 is a left side elevation showing the left wall and a lling element removed;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of certain intermittent driving elements shown in Fig. 1, and shows said elements in an alternate driving position;

Fig. 4 is a'diagrammatic side elevation of a filling mechanism; thFi 5 is an enlarged vertical section of Fig. 6 is alateral section of the filling mechanism, taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a-plan view ofthe filling mechanism;

` Fig. 8 isan enlarged fragmentary and sectional view of a loading mechanism taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of a conventional automatic bolt clutch;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section of a capping press, taken on line 101O of Fig. 2;

lling mechanism and drive therefor,

vlFig. 11 is a vertical section. taken on line 'y and closed-package or can;

Fig. 16 is a view similar tp Fig. 14 showing modified means forsupporting and eject- .ing a package;

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing means for operating the ejecting means illustrated in Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary section of a press head showing a typical crank mechanism;

Figs. 19 and 20 are. relative schematic layouts of certain cams; and

sponding parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

Construction-4in general (Fz'gal ami .2) Referring now more particularly to Figs.

1 and 2, there is illustrated at P a capping press which is provided with a substantially horizontal table T. The press and the table are mounted on suitable supports 1 I and 3.

' cam shaft C carries The ress P has its main or crank shaft 5 intermittently driven from a drive shaft 7 in a manner to be describedf A pinion 11 and a looseA driven gear 13 serve as the'` driving `elements between these shafts 5 and 7 A' cam shaft C, mounted on extensions 9 of the table T and rearwardly of the press P, is chain driven from a pinion said loose gear 13. The sprocket 17 on the a clutch mechanism l.19 whereby it may be connected and disconnected from said cam shaft.

A chambered ring or turret R rotatesupon a ground plate supported by the table T, said yring being intermittently moved by means of/and from the cam shaft C. `This is done by means of a Areciprocating ratchetand-pawl mechanism An air-tight' evacuating and charging shoe S is adapted te cooperate with the 4movable ring R to close the chambers of the ring iiuid tight, thereby permitting the replacement of the air in the packages by a gas not deleteriousl to the material being packaged, which gas in the present embodiment comprises nitrogen and which material comprises ether. The packages in their circular intermittent movement with the ring R areat all times positioned in-an atmosphere of inertgas or the equivalent, where no air is present, that after they enter the chamber. During said intermittent movement they are repeatedly evacuated and recharged by a gas not deleterious to the material being filled, and finally filled by a filling machine F with the'iuid that is being packaged. y,

During said intermittent movement the packages are also provided with a suitable cap by a cap shaping and punching press (intermittently driven and timed from the said shaft 5) are crimped and punched shut at the press P; and are delivered downwardly from the machine after re-passing under the shoe S.` During intermittentrest periods of the movable ring R, a plurality of cams on the shaft C are adapted to operate a Group Gr of rockerI mechanisms for controlling the elevation of the packages within the pockets in the ringR as'they movewith and in the ring R.

The complete described mechanism is housed in a Huid-tight chamber B which is 15 made fast to,-

adapted to contain nitrogen gas or a like nondeleterious fluid at a suitable pressure.

The chamber B (F z'gs. 1 and 2) The chamber B comprises conventional top,

' bottom, side, and end walls composed of suitable material, and 4properly braced. The .front wall 21 of the chamber is adapted to be removed and is held in place by means of suitable thumb screws 23. A gasket is interposed between the removable front wall 21 and the other element-s of the chamber. A

`vgas-tight transparent window 25 is preferably provided in the chamber for viewing the process therein.

The said drive shaft 7 of the press P emerges vfrom the chamber B through a stuffing gland 27. On the outside of the chamber this drive shaft is provided with a driving pulley 29 or other suitable source of energy input.

An inlet valve 31 for nitrogen or the like y non-deleterious gas lis provided at one upper corner of the chamber, and an outlet passage 33 is provided at the opposite lower diagonal corner. The outlet 33 leads toa conventional liquid trap 35 for the purpose of preventing entrance of air through the outlet. In the .present embodiment a slight plus pressure of pure nitrogen is introduced into the line connected with the valve 31. Hence when said valve 31 is open, nitrogen Hows into the chamber B, and being lighter than air, gradually displaces the air downwardly and out of the chamber from the outlet trap 35,. --The chamber is sealed when this operation takes place.

The' press P (z'gs. 1, Z, .9, 12,13 and 18) head 37 which supports the rotatable drive shaft 7 and the main shaft 5. The gear 13 is rotatably supported on and with respect to the main shaft 5, and is driven at a substantially constant rate from the pinion 11 mounted fast to said drive shaft 7. The main shaft 5 carries the conventional crank 6 for operating the reciprocating die head 39. As will be hereinafter shown, it is desirable to operate the head 39 to make a complete stroke only once during several revolutions ofthe gear 13. This is because the pinion or sprocket 15 has a reduced gear ratio with respect to the gear or sprocket 17 driven therefrom. For one revolution (a cycle of operation) of the gear 17 the press should operate to stroke once, and to stroke more quickly than a one to one gear ratio to the sprocket 17 would otherwise permit, that is, in view of the relatively slower movements .required of the other parts of the machine.

In order to accomplish the intermittent.

class are not new per se but a description.

vthereofis here given, in orderto clarify the operation of the machine.

Automatic bolt clutch for the prese (F z'gs.

, 1, 9 and 9) v permits a bolt 45 to spring into and engage against oneside of said recess. The bolt 45 is located slidably in the gear 13 and yis securely locked back by a radially sliding dog .f Y of a return spring When not locked in place, the bolt 45 is" adapted to..be sprung inwardly by means.

of a suitable spring 49. The dog 47 is adapted to be drawn downwardly against a spring 48 by a lug or dog 53 on a knife cam 51. This normally permits the bolt 45 which is actuated by said rearward spring 49, to spring for.'- wardly until. it enters said pocket or recess 43. This /results in the crank shaft 5 being driven from the gear 13.

' Thel knife cam 51 47, and also has a barrel camming portion 57 thereon adapted to push the bolt from the pocketinthe disc. The action is such that when thel knife cam 51 is lowered, then the dog' 47 is pulled down b means of the portion 53, permitting the olt 45 to ent-er the pocket. At this time the cammingportion 57 of the knife cam l51is inoperative to return the bolt 45. However as soon as the knife cani 51 is permitted to rise under the action 58, then the portion 57 is effective to cam t e bolt 45 out of the recess 43, while the portion 53 is in such position as to permit the dog 47 to re-engage the bolt to hold said. bolt out of engagement with the recess.

The knife cam 51 is made to descend at predetermined intervals by the motion of a cam 59 mountedI fast on the cam shaft C, which camCtransmits its motion through a connected with the knife cam is .that for each revolution of C, thepress clutch is engaged for a number of revolutions 51. The result the cam shaft lonce, that is, of the gear 13 vbetween it and the cam shaft C. This ratio is of the order of four to one in the present embodiment. This means that the press operates quickly with 'respect to the erations and only once in several revolutions of the gears 13 and 15. Furthermore its operation is specifically timed with regard to the operation of the cam shaft C, which is driven by the constantlymoving sprockets 15, 17 and the chain'65 therebetween. Theclutch thus remains engaged for one revolution of the crank shaft 5 of the press P, this being one out of every four revolutions of the gear 13.

The clutch 19 (see Fig. 1), which intermittentlyconnects the sprocket 17 with the cam shaft C, is exactly analagous to the clutch i carries said portion oi'v dog 53 thereon, adapted to draw down the dog 'depending upon the speed ratiol other .op-l

above described, but instead of being automatically operable from a cam shaft, is manually operable from a suitable linkage L which passes from the chamberB by way of a stuffing gland 67 where it is primarily op'- erable from a suitable foot pedal 69. By means of the clutch 19, the operation of the parts driven 'from the cam shaft C may be started and stopped manually from the outside of the chamber. As long as the pedal 69 is held in its depressedcondition, the machine operates continuously. Uawz'er ring R (Fz'gs. 1, 9, 8 and 10 to 19) Mounted on the table T is a stationary supporting ring 7l which is held in place by a plurality of bushings 73. The bushings 73 also act as push rod guides in a manner to be'described. The ring 71 has an upper ground surface 75 which is adapted to flatly receive the lower ground surface 77 of the said carrier ring R which lies on said ring 71..

The carrier ring R is rotatably borne on a central vertical `pin 79 held to the table T. The surfaces of the t'wo rings R and 71 make a gas-tight contact and are oiled. The ring R is rotatably movable with respect to the ring or plate 71.` The ring R is provided in its peripheral rim with a pluralityof vertically arranged pockets 81 which are adapted to slidably receive the packages which are to be filled. Each pocket 81 is provided with a sidewardly extending passage 83 which leads to an upper Hat ground surface 85 of said ring R. An outer flange 87 of said ring R is provided with a plurality; of. recesses or notches 99,for purposes to beI described.

Ratchet and pawl mechanism M (Figs. 1, 52

i andi?) 1 'The mechanism M is adapted to intermittently drive the rin R in a counter-clockwise manner (Fig. 1% from the cam shaft C. The amount that the ring R is intermittently driven is such as to have each pocket 81 take up the position of the pocket just'ahead of it at each intermittent movement.

In order to do this there is provided on the cam shaft a uni-lobed cam 89 which is adapted to drive a follower 91 slidably held in guides 93. The follower 91 is tangentially arranged with respect to the ring R, and is normally retracted against the cam 89 by means of a return spring 95'.

A holding pawl 97 normally engages one of a plurality of notches 99 cut into the ,periphery of the ring R and prevents movement of said ring in either direction. A driving pawl 101 is pivotally held to the follower9l and is adapted to engage the notches 99 'to drive thering R only when the follower 91 moves to the right (Fig. 3). Upon retracl ion of the follower' 91 pawl 101 is adapted to disengage from its respective notch 99. An overrunning lug 103 by the spring 95, the

' is about to sink into its notch 99. The pawl 20', the light reaction of is held to the follower 91 and is adapted to engage a heel 105 of said pawl 97.V This pawl is p ivoted on a pin 104 and is normally held against a stop 106 by spring 108. When the follower 91'4is driven to the right, whereby the pawl 101 drives the ring R, then the lug 103 engages the heel 105 just as the pawl 101 103 is held in position by the stop 106 as it reacts on theheel 105. 'This frees the ring R for movement under action ofthe cam 89. Upon return of the follower 91 the pawl 101 (spring pressed into its notch 99 by a leaf spring 100) automatically l aves its notch 99, while the pawl 97 does nOt leave the respective notch into whichit has vautomatically slipped, because the lug 103 overruns the heel 105, pivoting on its own axis against spring 108 which reaction is less than that of spring 107. The lug 103 is spring pressed against a stop as illustrated. The pawl 97 is normally and automatically held in engagement with a notch 99 by a spring 107. It is evident from the above, that for every revolution of the cam shaft C, that the ring position which the next respectiveI pocket had. 'During those periods when the ring Rv l ment by the pawl 97.

Eeauating shoe S (Figs. 1,-.'2 ami f8) unfilled package is delivered to each respective pocket 81, and the fifth position is the one had at the last position of the said pocket in the cyclic operation of the ring R, that is, just prior to the delivery of the filled` and closed package from the machine. The first four positions above mentioned are designated in Fig. 1 by the letters U, V, W, X. The fifth one is designated by the letter Z.

f Position U starts a cycle of operations and position Z ends the cycle.

The shoe S comprises an arcuate sector plate 109 (Fig. 8) which has a lower flat ground surface 111 adapted to engage a portion of the upper fiat ground surface of the ring R. The plate 109 rests of its own weight on the ring R but is guided into position by pins in bushings 114 fastened to bracket 113 (Fig.V 2). If desired, springs may be added to press the shoe S against the ring R. Bracket 113 is supported by the centhe outer supports 115 as illustrated.

R is advanced one -K notch,'that is, each pocket 81-takes up the.

. l H and I. The purpose of the shoe Sis to holdl eachy opening 117 adapted to align with onev of the 'pockets 81 which is under the shoe S when the ring R is in its stationary position and said pocket is in its position U. This opening 117 has a cylindrical'delivery chute 119 70 -connected therewith for the purpose of vdelivering packages N down to and through said opening 117 by gravity. The chute 119 extends upwardly and out through the top of the chamber tight opening. This chute is provided with a flexible section 118 for permitting the shoe S to rest in a gas-tight position on the ringP R. The interior of the chute 119 is normally filled with the air of the Packages are delivered to the` chute 119, one on top of the other, by a conventional delivery system 121, located outside of, the chamber B. l

The shoe S is also ably three openings A, E. and O (Figs. 1 and 2) which are positioned to align with the passages 83 leading to the pockets 81 when three of said pockets 81 are in their positions V, W and X. Evacuating lines 147, 149 and so 151 are connected to the openings A, E and O respectively. These lines pass upwardly and out vof the chamber B by means of suitable gas-tight openings and pass to suitable evacuating apparatus (not shown). ls'paced lto the openings A, E and O, the shoe S is provided with nitrogen filling openings These openings H and are positioned to align with the passages 83 leading to the pockets 81 when are in positions substantially midway between their positions V, W, and W, X, respectively. The openings H, I, are more or less elongated for reasons to be made clear,

and are in communication with the inside atpocket 81, as it passes with its package, from y a position out from under the opening 117 is adapted to be substantially evacuated at its position V; to be charged with nitrogen fromthe atmosphere within the chamber 'B at a position or positions midway between positions V and W; to be re-evacuated at position W; to be refilled with nitrogen Afrom said nitrogen atmosphere at a position or positions midway between positions Wand X; to be evacuated a third time at its position X and to be finallyy refilled with nitrogen when it passes from under the shoe S. This means that any open container or package 4positioned within thepocket 81 will have substantially nothing but nitrogen in it when it appears open in the chamber B. The openings H, are elongated because the pockets 81 do not come to rest at the mid-position, but move. Hence, more time is given for filling' by the slot formation.

The above described repeating process for l evacuating and refilling with nitrogen gives B through a suitable gasoutside atmosphere.

provided with preferl Alternately two of said pockets 81 163 a substantially air free and purely nitrogen gas filled package within each pocket 81 as it emerges from the shoe S.' This is because the very slight amount of air left in the pocket 81 and package after the first evacuation is greatly diluted 4`by the next inlet charge of nitrogen at the mid-positionH. The second evacuation will leavean equivalentlyvery slight amount -fof air and nitr0' when the pocket passes from beneath the shoe S) leaves nothing but vnitrogen (or other inert gas) in the pocket, 81 and open package therein. The number of repetitions which might be employed is only limit- 'ed by the length of the shoe S. It is to be understood that the herein described process is to include evacuating packages and refilling them with any fluid which is non-deleterious to the particular material being packaged, whatever the material may be.

Delfi/very molta/msm fml emanating shoe (Figs. 1,' 3 and 8)k This mechanism comprises two oppositely arranged slidable fingers 123, arranged to partially intersect said opening 117 in the shoe S. These fingers pass through gas- `tight stuffing glands. One of them has a driving link 125 suitably attached thereto, and the other has a rocker arm 127 attached thereto. A pivot-'ed rocker arm 1x29 bears at one end against the barreled face of a combinationycam 131 on the cam shaft C. The barreled face of the cam 131 is unilobed. The other end of the rocker arm'129 is slidably and pivotally connected 'at 132 with the said member 125 and carries a roller 133 adapted tb engage said rocker arm 127 (see Figs. 1 and 21). The arm 129`is normally held invengagement with the cam 131 by return spring 132. Whenever' the lobe'of the cam 131 engages the rocker arm 129,' then the fingers 1 23 are caused to withdraw from their' position at'the bottom ofl the stack of containers or cans N in the chute 119, thus releasing rthe cans.

To lower the cans gradually, a follower push rod 135 is provided to be slidably borne in the proper respective bushing 73. This vrodis normally either weighted or springpressed downwardly. Its lower ball end 137 engages the outer lifting end of the rocker 139. The other end of the rocker 1 39 comprises a follower which' engages a cam 141 on the cam shaft C (see'Fig. 19). The cam 141 is so timed with regard to the said "cam 131, that as the said holding fingers 123 are retracted from the passage 117 then the rod 135 is in position toA receive the lowermost canon the upper end thereof. The cam 141 is. so shaped that thereafter the rod 135 is caused to descend and to gently deposit the lowermost can on the ground surface 75 until the next pocket 81 is in position to receive a can or package. It may be noted from the drawings that the type of package used, is one having a neck and a flared and flanged opening at the top, adapted to receive a lead or othersuitablecover insaid flange. This means that an annular space 143 is left between cans within the chute 119, whereby return of the fingers 123 is facilitated. d .1 p v Fig. 12 shows a rod similar to the rod 135 equipped with an anti-friction ball end 137,

and an upper spring-pressed buffer 145 for the purpose of lightly contacting with the cans N. y The Waage' yale?- (Fzgs. 1 ma J, to 7) adjustment to compensate for the expansion under change of temperature of the fluid being. delivered.

This filling mechanism F comprises a fluid-tight box 153 suitably supported above the table T and containing a liquid having a lever Q. The liquid is to be filled into the packages N, it being ether in the present embodiment. The ether flows steadily into the box 153 from an inlet'155.v and passes from an overflow 157. An axle 159 supported laterally of the box 153 rotatably carries two spaced plates 161. These plates 161 are provided with cross pins 163 forrotatably supporting a plurality of dippers 165. The dippers 165 have a pouring edge 167 and an inlet edge 169. Their constructionI is such that the centers of gravity are directly below the 'respective pins 163, when the lips or edges 167 are vertically positioned, that is, when the dippers are not re-positioned by other elements to-be described; Outside of one of the plates 161, each rotatable axle I163 is provided with a depending crank 171 carrying a roller 173 at the end thereof.

Normally the dippers 165 are permitted' (the plates 161 through the bottom of said box to a point I centrally above the position of rest for the pockets 81 as they emerge from the shoe S.

Therefore, in order to empty the dippers into the trough 175, there is provided a stationary cam 177 adapted to engage the'followers r17 3 as the dippers moveto a point 'above said trough 175. By this means each dipper is rotated and caused to spill its charge into the trough, and Iasthe roller 173 leaves the cam- 177, the respective dipper takes up its original substantially vertical position under the action of gravity. A suitable buffer 179 is provided for preventing excessive oscillations of the dippers as they return to their normal vertical positions. v

In order to adjust the amount`(volume) of fluid that each dipper will pick up there is provided a Igauging track or cam 181.- This is swung from a rotatable support 183 hung from said shaft 159, and is supported by an adjustable slide clamp 185. The clamp 185 is operable to be tightened and loosened from a Wheel 186 at the outside of the chamber B,

as illustrated in the drawings (Fig. 1). In

`order to regulate the position of the cam 181, after it is unclamped, there isprovided therewith a connecting rod 187, to which.

is pinned a crank 189 held to a control shaft The control shaft 191 also passes from the chamber B and carries a wheel or the like -suitable for 'making adjustments. j, This wheel is designated by the numeral 192 in Fig. 1. The crank 189 is used'to reset the position of the cam 181.

. The cam 181 is adapted by a given particular position, to ,regulate the positions at which the dippers 165 emerge from the iiuid..

each dipper.

Filler driving mechanism (Figs. 1, 2, 4,

and 7) In the present embodiment eight dippers are used. Outside of the box 153, on the shaft 159, is provided an eight lobed vratchet 195,

adapted to drive the Shaft and the plates 161- in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 4).

Since eachrevolution of the cam shaft C re' sults in advancing the ring R one notch,

,thereby advancing a package to be filled beneath the snout 197 of the trough or spout 175, it is desirable to empty one of the dippers 165 into said trough to fill said package.

In order` to accomplish the above purpose the said c-am 131 is provided with a peripheral lobe 199 adapted to oscillate a bell-cra lever 201. A connecting rod 203 links. the

This is evident when it is noted that 5 i bell-crank lever 201 with a rocker arm- 205 rotatably supported onthe shaft 159 of the ller. The rocker arm 205 carries a pawl.

207 adapted to engage the notches of the ratchet 195, and to drive said ratchet ahead one notch for each revolution of the cam shaft C. By this means one filling charge is delivered from the trough 175 for every revolution of the cam shaft C, and for each placement of a can Nunder the snout 197. Package positioning means for the filler F u y(l'igs. 1, 2 and 5) l In order that the can or package NJ may be brought well up in connection with the snout 197, there is provided a. rocker 209 similar to said rocker 139 for the can deliveringmeans. The rocker 209 cooperates with a cam 211 on the cam shaft C and is adapted to drive a -follower rod 213 similar Yto said rod 135 in connection with the delivery mechanism. The rod 213 is adapted to raise each can up into cooperation with the snout 197 as the ring Rcomes to rest, and when the ring R moves, the rod 213 descends into its respective bushing thereby permitting the can Nto be replaced on the surface 7 5.l Further movement of the ring R takes the can on to its neXt position after it has been permitted to descend. The timing of the cam 211 is such that the snout 197 and said can N are in connection. during the filling period (see alsoFig. 19).

The capping press K (Figs. 1, 10 and 11) The press K is mounted onvthe table T and is driven in a one to one ratio by the chain drive 215 from the `orank shaft 5 of the press P. In other words, the press K quickly makes one cyclic action for each time that the press P does so.

Press K comprises a bolster plate 217 having an opening 219 therein adapted to receive a strip of lead tape 221. This bolster plate 217 overhangs the ring R. The tape 221 unreels from a roll 223 from one side of the machine, passes through the bolster plate 217 and is drawn out on the other side by means of a conventional feeder 225. This feeder l225 draws tape through the press and feeds it out to the'side of the table T in the Ichamber B. This is done by means of a universal linkage 227, which is driven from the crank sha-ft 229 of the press K. The feeder 225 is not new per se, and its action is well known in the art of Ipresses and the like. The feed of the tape 221 is intermittent because the action'of the press K is intermittent. An intermittent ratcheton the feeder 225, operable on the up stroke of the press, is effective to draw the tape out by increments.

The ram 231 of the press K, driven by a conventional crank'.236 (similar to crank' 6 nk shown' in Fig. 18) on the shaft 229, Fig. 1,

provided with two punches 233 and 235.

73 and below the surface 75, ,f

below the opening 219. Upon the nextmovement of 'the press, the die 235 punches the bulge portion 237 out of the. tape and down into the upper flanged end of an awaiting can N. For each movement of the press the tape moves so as to move a bulge 237 from the head 239 over to a point under the die 235, and to bring anew portion of the tape over the head 239 to be bulged.

Uan positioning mechanism for the press K (Figs. 1, 2 and 10) This mechanism comprises a rocker-241 similar to the said rocker 139 adapted to cooperate with and be driven to oscillate by a cam 243 o'n the cam shaft C. Its other end cooperates with a lifting rod 245 similar to therod 135, but positioned directly under the punch 235y of the press K.' The cam 243 is time so that as the ring R comes to rest bringing a vlledcan under'the'press K, the rod 245 is caused to lift the can to a position such that its flared head may be graspedand f accurately centered by two slides 247 (Fig.

11). The slides are shown closed in'around the flared nozzle'as the ram of the 'press K descends. Two camming spurs 249 projecting downwardly from the ram, positioned in -a plane at right angles to theplane of the punches 233, 235, are adapted. to push the slides inwardly around said flared nozzle as the punches .descend to do their work of bulging, punching, and delivering the punched and bulged'cap into the nozzle of the can N. When the punches recede the slides 247 also recede from the head of the canunder action of a pair of springs 251.

The cam 243 is so shaped that as the slides 247 recede, the rod 245 descends to a position in its respective bushing 73 below the surface 75, thus replacing the can N in the 'ring R. Three positions ofthe filled can are shown in Fig. 10, namely, its' filled, uncapped position, its raised position wherein a cap is being applied, and its position after application of the cap; It now v remains to crimp the anges of the ared head down over the edges ofthe cap. The bulge' is put into each cap for convenience in punch- A ing it open.

AFrom the press K, the' capped and filled cans are moved by increments to the first of a pair of positions J l, D, under the said press P. The' press P has a bolster plate 251 which overhangs the ring R and is provided with a plurality of openings 253 aligning with two of the pockets 8 1 when the pockets are positioned under the press. The bolster plate 251 slidablyfcarries a pair of die plates 255.norma lly held in open position by a palr of springs 257 but driven to a closed position by a pair of spurs 259 fastened to a punch head 261 held to the ram 39. l

At each revolution of the cam shaft C, a

pair of cans N israised from the ring R by linkages to be described into the openings- 253, with their nozzles in position to be grasped and aligned by the split dies or plates 255. At this juncture the ram 39 is caused to descend.I The punch head 261 carries a lcrimping punch 262 and a closing punch 263 therewith. These punches engage corresponding' recesses cut in the dies 255 when the latter are in said closed position.

It is evident from the above, that after the cans N are raised, the die block 261 descends to close the plates 255 around the fiared heads of the cans N, and at the same time to inwardly crimp the flange of the right hand can (Fig. 12) and to flatten the inwardly crimped flange of the left hand can. By this means one can is prepared for the final closing operation and the other is finally closed. As the die recedes, the plates 255 spread apart and permit the cans to descend by means of thelinkages to be presently described. The ring R is stationary during these operations. Its increments of advance are such as to move a crimped can from its right hand depressed position (Fig. 12) to its left hand depressed position in one revolution of the cam shaft C.

Mechanisms fooa lifting the cans at the press 4P (Figs. 1,2 and 12) These mechanisms comprise a pair of rocker arms 265 similar to the said arm 139, which cooperate with al pair of cams 267 on the cam shaft C. The rockers 265 move in unison .and are adapted to drive a pair of rods 269 preferably aligned with the punches 261, 263. The vcams 267 are timed so that the cans N are lifted from their positions under the press P after `the ring R. comes to rest. Said cams are so shaped that the rods 265 remain in their upward positions while the press P operates on the cans N, andafter the plates 255 are opened, said rods 269 gently descend to replace the'cans N on the surface 75. The rods- 269 then take up positions below the said surface 75. The rockers 265 and 213 are rmounted between the legs of the support 1.

Package vejecting means (Figs. 1, 2 and 14) From position D, the cans N move successively by increments to the position Z, under the shoe S. The position Z is one in which the respective pockets 81 are aligned with a lower opening` 268 of like (diameter in the t'ablevT and the plate or ring 71 (see Fig. 14). The outlet delivery pipe 269 is screwed into the plate 71 at the opening 268 and clears the table T (Fig. 14).- As the cans move into the position Z, they are dropped l from positions -in the ring R into said outlet delivery pipe 269. The pipe 269 leads down- -IUP Wardly and outwardly from the casing B, and thence to a take-offbelt 273.

It may be noted that as the pockets 81 pass in under the shoe-S, they are cut out of com- The chamber B is closed and sealed; The valve 31 is opened in order to permit inlet of the nitrogen or the like, Which forces airl out through the outlet trap-35.l Ether or the like is permitted to flow into the filler F through the inlet 155. The yoverflow 157 for the liller maintains the level of liquid therein. Other liquid leveling devices might be employed. The delivery mechanism 121 and the take-0E mechanism 273 is put into motion.

The 'shaft 7 is assumed to be rotating, and hence the gears 11, 13, 15-and 17 are rotating and pipe 119 is assumed to contain cans. ,In

order to start the filling machine proper,

, pedal 69 is manipulated to close the clutch 19. For approximately every four revolutions of the gears 13, 15, the cam shaft C vrotates once. Hencensthe clutch on the press P is automatically closed once in about four lso revolutions of the gear 13. Thisx is done ,from the cam 59. 'Consequently the press K also operates once for about every four revolutions of the gear 13. It is to be understood'.

thatthe particular gear ratio between gears 15, 17 may be varied to suit-particular conditions. Presses P and'K operate once for every revolution ofthe cam shaft C.

The closure of lthe'mlutch 19 results in the intermittent movement of `the'ring R and delivery of the7 cans N (one by one) to the pockets 81 in said ring. The intermittent movement of the ring is accomplished by means1 of the ratchet mechanism M, and the delivery of the can N by movement of the lingers 123 and rod 135 (Figs. 3 and 8)'. The

mechanism M is operated from the cam 89 and the fingers 123 from the cam 131. The rocker 139 is being operated from the cam 141 to gently place the cans, one'by one, on the surface 75.

After each can N is positioned in apocket 81, it is first intermittently moved to positions V, W and X, and thus thrice evacuated and alternately twice filledv with nitrogen.

After the last evacuation, the next or fourth intermittent movement of the ring R carries the can N out from under the shoe S to autoinatically lill with, and remain in, an atmosphere of nitrogen.

K At this juncture the rocker 209 lifts the can in order -that it may be lled at thev filler F, and replaces it on the surface after filling. The rocker 209 .is operated from the cam 211. The cam 199 serves to cause one bucket 165 to spill its contents into the trough 175, each time that a can is brought up to the snout 197 of said trough 175.

About three movements of the ring R bring the filled can up into a position beneath the press K, where the rocker 241 is caused to lift the can up into the press K where it is provided with its loose cap. The rocker 241 lowers the dan into the ring R. Said rocker is operatedJfrom the cam 243.

About 11 movements of the ring R bring.V the can to the position J under thepress P. x

At this point, the right hand rocker 265 (Fig. 12) lifts the ycan up into a position where the crimping die 262 is effective thereon, after which the rocker permits the can to descend. Another movement of the ring R brings the can into its position D under the press P. Then the left-hand rocker (Fig. 12) is effective to lift the can into a position where the closing die 263 is effective thereon, after which the rocker permits the can to descend. It is evident that the period of time occupied by the operation of the punch head 261 is 'only a fraction of the total period of the time that the cans are under the press P. This is because of the gear ratio between the sprockets 15, 17.

f Next, about three movements of the ring R ar'e occupied in bringing the can from its position D to its position Z under the shoe S, where it is dropped from the machine. One more movement of the ring"R brings the emptychamber 81 from the position Z to th pbsition U where it is again loaded.

1t is evident` from the above, that each revolution of the cam shaft C results in a can being, brought up to each event, Whereat a particular operation is performed upon it. The action is entirely automatic. and continuous.

The machine may be stopped at any time by removing pressure from thepedal 69. To recapitulate shortly, upon depressing clutch pedal 69, shaft C begins to rotate, im. mediately advancing ring R the space of one pocket 'by means of cam 89 and ratchet mechempty can N is lowered from pipe 119' by a rocker arm and other rocker arms raise cans N to proper places under filler F,`capper K and main closing pressP and hold them there for the respective operationsof filling, capping and closing, which are properly syn- Achronized by means of the cams on cam anism M. Ring R, now' being'at rest, an 120 each can is connectedy with the vacuum and fills With nitrogen from the surrounding atmosphere in the chamber. three times, that is, in positions V, W and X. The finished cans finally reach the drop-out pipe 269.

It is evident from the above that the ether Which is filled into the cans N is never in `contact With the air, either during or after packaging.` By this means the ether is kept from absorbing air, Which is apcontributing factor to the deterioration in packaged ether. The automatic process provides a positive enlarged output of neat air-free'packages of ether. If desired, a ring of solder may be applied to the closed heads after delivery from the described machine. It is to be understood that the ether or the like is supplied to the inlet line 155 in an air free and other- Wise pure condition. It may be put into such a condition by the means described in my United States Patents Numbered 1,461,539 and 1,508,563.

It is evident that the gas chamber B, proper, comprises all of the space included Within the Walls of said chamber, except the passages-occupied by the inlet and outlet chutes 119 and 269, which for the present purposes Will be classified With space not Within the gas chamber proper. This is because lthe chamber B might be shaped to dispense with' these chutes, as such, Without violating the principles of construction claimed herein to be new and novel. The chamber B provides means for maintaining an artificial atmosphere or volume of ambient fiuid about and in the packages to be filled. Any ambient fluid, not deleterious to the material being packaged, may be used.

Modee acampar/i (Eiga. 16 and 17) It has been found desirable undercertain conditions, to carry the' cans N in the pockets 81 Without allowing them to rest on the surface 75. In oider to dothis, springpressed plunger's 277 are caused to -partially intersect the pockets 81, at or near`the bottoms thereof. The cams rest on these plungers (Fig, 16) as said cans travel with the ring R, instead of on the ground surface 7 5,

In order to eject the cans through the outlet opening 268, a lspring retracted plunger 279, held in the shoe S over the opening 268, is adapted to push the cans out past the resiliently held plungers 277 that is, as the cans come to rest over said outlet 268. The linkage for depressing the plunger 279 is illustrated in Fig. l17,--and comprises a simple rockerarm 281 adapted to intermittently de.- press the plunger 279, as the successive cans N come tof rest thereunder. The rocker arm 281 is actuated by a cam 288 added to thecam shaft C, properly shaped and timed.

It is evident that various substitutions may be made for the plungers 277, for resiliently :or the like. This takes place f supporting the cans N, such as spring fingers Conclusion.

As hereinbefore indicated, the ambient fluid to be used in thismachine is to be construed broadly as comprising a fluid which is non-deleterious to the material being packed, Whatever the material may be. Such an ambient fluid may comprise an inert iiuid, an oxygen-free iiuid or any other type which Will be included by the term non-deleterious, in view of the particular material adapted 'to be packaged. The term non-deleterious is used broadly to include all fluids having a chemical' or anaesthetic action beneficial or supplementary to the therapeutic effect of the ether.

The term filling is to be construed as meaning the insertion of material, regardless of Whether it actually lls the package or not.

The term ether includes commercially pure ether and chemically pure ether.

In vieW of the above, it Will be seen that `the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions Without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawingsshall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I'claim:

1. Apparatus for packaging, comprising means for substantially levacuating a package, means for delivering yit to a chamber filled with4 a fluid, non-deleterious to the (materia-l being packaged, means within the chamber for filling, capping and ejecting the package, and means for intermittently mov- -ing said package to said recited means in sequence.

2. Apparatus for packaging comprising means for passing packages into a Huid-filled chamber Which hasno free oxygen therein, means for alternately evacuating said packages as they pass into said chamber, mea-ns for `recharging them With said iiuid from said chamber as they pass in, means Within the chamber for lling, capping and ejecting the package, and mea-ns for intermittently moving said package to said recited means in sequence.

' 3.`Apparatus for packaging automatically, -comprising a chamber having no free oxygen therein, means forsubstantially evac-4 ber Without admitting air, said recited means being automatically coordinated.

" mittently moving the package means adapted ly, comprising means into the' chamber as they are alternately evac- 4. Apparatus for packaging comprising a chamber illed with a fluid which is non-deleterious to the material being packaged, means for substantially evacuating an open package, means for delivering said package to the chamberwithout admitting air, and interto lling, capping and ejecting means, and controlling toeiiect operation of said recited meansin sequence.

5. Apparatus for packaging automaticala chamber filled with a fluid, which is non-deleterious to the material being packaged, means for alternately evacuating and 'recharging packages with iuid from said chamber, means for passing said packages into the chamber as they are alternate'l evacuated and recharged, and means for lling, closing and ejecting said packages from the chamber. 6. Apparatus for packaging automatically, comprising a chamber filled with a fluid,

for alternatelyevacuaitihg and. recharging packages Iwith uid from said chamber, means for passing 'said packages uated and recharged, and means for closingv the packages withinsaid chamber, and'controlling means adapted'to ieect operation of said recited means in sequence.

7 Apparatus for packaging ether comprising means for successively evacuating a package and alternately reilling it with a nondeleterious gas moving from an atmosphere of said gas, means for passing said packages into said gas, and means for filling, cappingf and closing said packages while in said lastnamed atmosphere, and controlling` means adapted to effect operation of said recited means. in sequence.

8. Apparatus for automatically packaging ether comprising means for maintaining an atmosphere of non-deleterious' gas, means for moving packages into/ said atmosphere comprising a chambered movable member,

. means for delivering packages to the chamsurface being within the bers of the member tobe moved therewith,

means for successively evacuating, means for alternately recharging the chambers of the member with gas fromsaid-atmosphere when the packages are placed therein, means for illing and means for closing said packages as said member carries them into" said atmosphere from the evacuating and recharging means.v

, 9. Apparatus for automatically packaging ether comprising means for maintaining an atmosphere of non-deleterious gas, means for moving packages into said atmosphere from the outside atmosphere comprising a movable member having a gas-tight connection with the surface upon which it rests said means for maintaining said atmosphere, the member being formed with pockets adapted to receive the mosphere during a portion of the movement of said member to permit ingress of a package, means for alternately evacuating the chambers when out of communication with said both atmospheres, means for fillingv and means for closing them While in communication with the atmosphere of gas, said packages passing into said atmosphere of gas by passing from under said shoe.

` 10. Apparatus for automatically packaging ether comprising means for maintaining an artiicial atmosphere, means for successively moving packages into said atmosphere, comprising a rotatable member, the member being formed with pockets adapted to receive packages, means for repeatedly cutting the pockets out of communication with said atmosphere, means for evacuating said pockets while so cut off, means for iilling and means for closing the packages while the pockets are in communication With the articial atmosphere.

11. Apparatus for automatically packaging ether comprising means for maintaining an artiicial atmosphere, ,means for successively moving packages into said atmosphere, comprising a rotatable member, the member being formed with pockets adapted to receive packages, means for repeatedly cutting the pockets out of communication with said atmosphere, means for evacuating the pockets While so cut oimeans for filling-and means for' closing the packages While the pockets areincommunication with the-artificial atmosphere and means for delivering packages to` and removing them from said member.

12. Apparatus for automatically packaging ether comprising means forl maintaining an artilicial atmosphere, means Jfor successively moving packages into said atmosphere, comprisinga rotatable member, the member being formed with pockets adapted to receive packages, means for repeatedly cutting the pockets out of communication with said atmosphere, means for evacuating the pockets while so cut 0E, means for filling and .means 4for closing the packages' While the pockets are LOU 13. In'apparatus for packaging ether automatically, a chamber adapted to havean articial atmosphere maintained therein, a

movable member therein, the member being formed with pockets adapted to receive packages, means for admitting packages to said pockets, means for evacuating said packages v tomatically, a chamber adapted to have an artificial atmosphere maintained therein, a movable member therein, the member being formed with pockets adapted to' receive pack= "ages, means for admitting packages to said pockets, means for evacuating said packages and means for preventing inlet of the outside atmosphere to said chamber, means for filling and means for closing the packages while in 4 said chamber and pockets, and means for ejecting them from said chamber without admitting the outside atmosphere.

15. In apparatus for packaging ether automatically, a chamber adapted to be filled with nitrogen, an intermittently movable member therein adapted to move packages within the chamber, kymeans for admitting packages to said member, means for evacuating the packages and meansv fuor preventing inlet of the outside atmosphere to saidvchamber, means for maintaining oxygen-free ether in the chamber, means for filling the ether into the packages while they are positioned in saidchamber, means for closing said packages while therein, and means for delivering the packages from the chamber without a mittin outside atmosphere.

16. pparatus for packaging ether comprising, an enclosing chamber, means for maintaining` an atmosphere of nitrogen therein, a movable member therein, means for delivering packages to said movable member and means for evacuating them without admitting air to the chamber, means within the chamber for moving said member, means therein cooperating with the movable member to fill the packages with ether, means therein cooperating with said movable member for capping the packages, means therein; for cooperating with the movable member to close the caps on the packages, and means therein for delivering filled and closed packages from the chamber without admitting air.

17. In apparatus forautomatically4 packaging, means for delivering packages to a gaseous chamber without admitting air comprising a movable member in the chamber,

'said member having pockets therein adapted to receive packages, means for maintaining a substantial vacuum, and means for successively communicating said pockets with the outside air, the vacuum and the gas Ain said y chamber.

18. Apparatus for automatically packaging ether comprising means formaintaining an atmosphere of non-deleterious gas, means for moving packages into said atmosphere from the outside atmosphere comprising a movable member having a gas-tight connection with the lower surface upon which it rests, said surface being within the means for maintaining said atmosphere, the member being formed with pockets adapted to receive the packages, a stationary shoe engaging the movable member to effect communication between the pockets and the said outside atmosphere during a portion of the movement of said member to effect ingress of packages, said shoe communicating with means for alternately causing evacuating of the pockets when out of communication with said both atmospheres and for permitting communication with the atmosphere of gas, means for filling and means for closing them while in communication with the atmosphere of gas and means for preventing the packages from seating/on said surface.

19. Apparatus for automatically packaging ether comprising means for maintaining an atmosphere of non-deleterious gas, means for moving packages into said atmospherel from the outside atmosphere comprising a movable member having a gas-tight connection with the surface upon which it rests,

said shoe communicating with means for alternately causing evacuating of the pockets when out of communication with said both atmospheres and means for permitting communication with the atmosphere of gas, means for filling and means for closing them while in communication with the atmos here of gas, means for preventing the pac agesv from seating on said surface and means for delivering them from said inside atmosphere;

20. In an apparatus for packaging materials in an atmosphere of non-deleterious gas andout of contact with air, means for introducing exhausted open containers into a chamber filled with such gas, comprising a movable member in said chamber sliding between upper and` lower fixed surfaces and having gas tight engagement therewith, means for movin it to rest at pre etermined stations, pockets vfor the reception of a container in such movable member, a passageway for the delivery of containers leading from outside the cham ber through one of said fixed surfaces and registering with a pocket at one of said stations, said movable member having apertures connected with each pocket and registering at a later station with a passage through. one of said fixed members-leading to an exhausting device, said upper fixed surface being such member and bringing A 20, a portion of said upper a pocket thereafter .cut

.tainer to the atmosphere of thechamber and. -permit operations thereon at still later stations'.

21. In apparatus 1n accordance with claim 20, a plurality of exhausting devices registering With said aperturesat successive-stations and means therebetween for admitting gas from the chamber to said pockets.

22. In apparatus in accordance With claim fixed surface making gas tight engagement with said movable member in thevicinity of the last'station, and a passageway for the discharge of containers leading from outside the'chamber through one of said fixed surfaces and registering with .at said last station. 23. In apparatus for packaging materials.

- in an atmosphere of non-deleterious gas and out of contact with air, -a chamber adaptedv -to be lled with such gas, and means for re-l moving filled and capped containers from said chamber, comprising a movable member slidingbetween upperv and-lowerxed .surfaces andi making gas tight engagement therewith,v said movable member being 1 formed with pockets for holding containers, a passage-Way 'for the discharge of containers leading from outside said chamber through one of .saidfixed surfaces, and means for moving said movable member and bringing it to rest with a pocket in registration with such discharge passage.

. 24. In apparatus for packaging materials a chamber adapted to 4be filled with gas, a rotatingfturret in said chamber, said turret having a plurality of lpockets .therein for the -reception lof containers, said turret and bringing it to rest at predemeans for rotating termined stations, means for continuously supplying a container to each pocket at one of said .stations without access .of air to the chamber, means for exhausting such container and pocket at a succeeding station; means for filling said 'container at a later station;

means-for cappingsaid container at a still later station; and meansifor discharging said container from itspocket Without access of air to the chamber at a still later station.

25. The method of packaging lchemicals in anl atmosphere of gas which is non-deleterious to the chemical to be packaged and in the absence 'of air, which comprises subjecting a progressively advance line of containers .to v the following treatment, cach step being carr'ied out simultaneously upon one of the containers in the line; exhaustingl the open contailler, introducing the open exhausted con- Ywhich the chemical to be Laws? from said gaseous atmosphere.

' which the steps of exhausting the opencon tainer and introducing the open exhausted vaway so as to expose theconadding the step of removing the container containers into an atmosphere of said gas are repeated a plurality of times.

28. The method according to claim 25, in packaged is ether. In testimony whereof, have signed name to this specification this 23rd dayl lof June, 1926.

.EDWARD MALLINCKRODT, JR.

tainer into an atmosphere of said gas without substantial admission of air, iilling the container with the chemical to be packaged in said gaseous atmosphere, and. capping each container in said gaseous atmosphere.

26. The method according to claim 25, 

